Definition of separationnext
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as in distinction
the state of being kept distinct the separation of church and state is an important concept in the United States

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in divider
something that divides, separates, or marks off a filing cabinet with lots of adjustable separations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of separation The jail’s administrative separation unit is on the seventh floor. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026 In the wake of her parents’ separation, Lambert sketches the effects of divorce on children through the character of Pine’s daughter, delicately portrayed by Abby Ryder Fortson. Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026 These provisions are routinely invoked by the regime to reassure the international community that Iran possesses an independent judiciary operating under the principle of separation of powers, comparable to legal systems elsewhere. Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 Exactly how those millions will be divided remains unclear, as pair are completing a very public separation. Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for separation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separation
Noun
  • The Chicago Reader, the groundbreaking alternative weekly which has been on the brink of dissolution for years, will become a monthly in February under new owners, who are looking to reinvent the storied newspaper while turning red ink to black.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • However, with the dissolution of the agreement, those plans are now canceled.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The distinction is semantic, not economic.
    James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Yeah, so the law has this long-standing distinction between what the lawyers would call prospective relief and retrospective relief.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • George Gross, an expert on theology and the monarchy at King’s College London, highlighted the church’s continuing divergence from the Catholic Church, which forbids women from being ordained as priests, much less as serving as the religion’s global spiritual leader.
    Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • There’s a divergence happening between gold and the S & P 500.
    Fred Imbert, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Its dual mission is to bridge the early-stage funding gap and guarantee global access, ensuring products aren’t confined to wealthy markets for decades but are introduced in low- and middle-income countries in parallel.
    Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • That gap lies between mathematical modelling and real human perception.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • However, the consistent arctic air masses have driven our actual average down to just 15 degrees, a full 10-degree departure from the norm.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Also on Saturday, airlines cancelled 35 departures (83%) from Northwest Arkansas National Airport and 34 arrivals (89%).
    Anne Li, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Instead of being the great equalizer, education is at risk of becoming the great divider.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • There’s also a divider that’s also a pouch, which can hold your makeup brushes, hair ties, or even jewelry.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Companies to watch include Kraft Heinz, which could share more details on its upcoming split, and Nestle, which is considering selling off multiple brands in its portfolio.
    Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Rauw, a 33-year-old San Jaun romantic, had a breakthrough after a breakup, skipping coolly across genres and balancing electronic and acoustic arrangements following a split with Rosalia; even in polar vortex hell, Karol G’s Tropicoqueta goes over like a glass of concentrated essence of summer.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The School of Law’s Civil Rights and Racial Justice Clinic offers students practical experience in representing clients of all ethnicities, white, people of color, women and men, who experience problems with housing, discrimination, and other justice issues.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
  • There is still a lot of discrimination against older actresses.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Separation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separation. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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